Title
Coral Gables School and Community Relations Committee Meeting of May 29, 2007
Body
Meeting Absence:
Due to a lack of quorum, the committee could not grant an excuse absence for the following members; Joan Reitsma, Barbra Harley, and Pat Kiel. There request will be readdressed at the August meeting; however for the record they were marked with an "absent". Members Lili Diaz and Harold Cole did not attend the meeting. Prior to the meeting notification of there absence was not obtained by the secretary. There were marked with an "absent". Chairperson Debbie Korge inquired that Members Harold Cole and Lili Diaz have missed two meeting consecutively and asked for a reason. No reason was given by the school officials. Chairperson Korge mentioned that they are members have a responsibility to this committee.
SCRC Board Members: Chairperson Debbie Korge was informed that perhaps Member Harold Cole will be replaced at the beginning of the new school year. Members were reminded if they are resigning or being replaced, a letter stating their decision must be forward to the secretary of the committee.
Minutes of the April 18, 2007 Meeting: No motion was made to a lack of a quorum.
Coral Gables High School General Report: Coral Gables High School will have its graduation on Thursday, May 31, 2007, at University of Miami's BankUnited Center. Graduation ceremony commences at 8 PM. There will be approximately 720 Coral Gables High School Students graduating that night. Congratulations! Furthermore, Coral Gables High School was ranked 125 in the top 1000 high schools in the nation. Chairperson Korge expressed that these stories help in promoting a positive image for the schools but the good news is not being forward to the secretary. Once the secretary receives the information, the news could be distributed through E-news.
Coral Gables Dismissal Report: The last day of school for Coral Gables is Wednesday, May 30, 2007. Coral Gables Youth Resource Officers will be on school premises to ensure every thing runs smoothly at dismissal. Last day for teachers is Friday, June 1, 2007.
Coral Gables High School Summer School: Summer school commences on June 22, 2007.
Coral Gables High School Uniform: The new uniform will be sold at the beginning of the new school year. There will be able to purchase uniforms through E-store by using a credit card. .
Coral Gables PTSA: New board members were selected for the upcoming new school year.
Ponce de Leon Academic Report: Ponce de Leon Academic Report: It was reported that Ponce de Leon school officials are confident that the school will maintain its "A" grade level or obtain a high "B" grade level.
Ponce de Leon Construction Report: Construction will be completed by July 14 the construction including the drop off and pick up lane are included in the construction plans. However the certificate of occupancy probably will not be issued until the beginning of the new school year.
Ponce de Leon Traffic Report: School officials reported that a student was killed trying to walk across U.S.1. Many students were disturbed by this since it is the 2nd student hit. Several students are interested in writing letters petitioning a cross walk to be provided to cross the busy highway. Mr. Humberto Miret mentioned that in the City of Sunny Isle, a 4 foot fence has been installed along A.1.A. Sgt. DeJong mentioned that hedges were planted to create the same affect along U.S.1 nearby Ponce in order to create the same affect. Sgt. DeJong mentioned that at the beginning of the new school year, police will provide a training showing students the right and wrong way in crossing a major highway.
Report from Youth Resource Unit: Sgt. Melissa DeJong mentioned that she would like to have another meeting with the principals before the beginning of the new school year. She mentioned that all of her School Resource Officers were long rifled trained in the event of an active shooter crisis in the school. Sgt. DeJong asked for a copy of the new lock down procedure handbook. She was advised that it would be given to her at the beginning of the new school year.
Members asked Sgt. DeJong to inquire about the possibility of Coral Gables Trolley stopping at Ponce de Leon. This would allow students to get a ride to the University of Miami Metrorail station and perhaps alleviate the ongoing jaywalking problem along U.S.1. Sgt. DeJong reminded the principals that she wanted to implement an educational and enforcement program regarding the correct way in crossing a major intersection. The training class should only take one hour.
She reported that all of the missing signs at Ponce de Leon Middle School were replaced and installed.
Members were advised about the new Gun Bounty Program implemented by Mayor Carlos Alvarez. The program just began and it's in partnership with all law enforcement agencies aiming to deter the illegal possession of guns and illegal use of guns in the Miami-Dade County. For every gun, $1000.00 in cash will be awarded
August Meeting Date: The SCRC will meet on Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at 6 pm in the 2nd floor conference room of the Youth Center.